Step-by-step guide for when your dog goes missing. Who to call, where to post, which shelters to check, and the mistakes that cost people time.
By Onslow's Team · Updated August 12, 2026
Call right now
File a lost report with TAS, then call 311.
Have your dog's breed, colour, markings, collar info and microchip number ready.
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| Toronto Animal Services | 416-338-PAWS |
| 311 Toronto | 311 |
| DocuPet HomeSafe | 1-855-249-1370 |
| Toronto Humane Society | 416-392-2273 |
| TAS stray database | toronto.ca |
| Pet FBI | petfbi.org |
| PawBoost | pawboost.com |
| Microchip lookup | petmicrochiplookup.org |
Right now
Call Toronto Animal Services: 416-338-PAWS
File a lost report. Then call 311, available 24/7 in 180+ languages. They can dispatch someone if needed.
Have ready
Breed, colour, size, markings, collar, chip number
Plus the licence tag number and a recent photo. The more specific, the faster they can match.
Same spot
Leave something with your scent where they bolted
A jacket, a sweater. Dogs often circle back to where they last saw you.
10–15 min
Search the immediate area, then go home
If you’re on your own, do a quick sweep and head back. They frequently come back by themselves.
First 24 h
Post on every board below and book shelter appointments
Online databases lag behind what’s physically in the shelter, so do both.
TAS shelters are appointment-only. Call 416-338-PAWS between 10:30am and 6:30pm to book a redemption appointment. Book at all three locations if you're not sure which one has your dog. Dogs look different when they're scared, wet, or dirty, so don't rely on phone descriptions alone. Go see for yourself.
| Shelter | Address |
|---|---|
| TAS North | 1300 Sheppard Ave W |
| TAS East | 821 Progress Ave |
| TAS West | 146 The East Mall |
| Toronto Humane Society | 11 River St |
Free parking at all TAS locations. Closed on statutory holidays, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day, and Easter Monday. THS is a separate organization but also receives strays.
Impounded dogs are held for 5 days.
After that, the city can adopt them out. Getting your dog back costs $40 pickup + $20/day holding fee. An unchipped dog must be chipped within 24 hours of redemption.
The more eyes, the better. Post on all of these:
TAS Stray Database
toronto.caCheck this first. The City of Toronto’s official database of found strays. Also has a deceased animals database (last 30 days). Difficult but necessary.
Pet FBI
petfbi.orgPost a lost pet report, get automatic alerts for matching found reports, free flyer creation tool. The City’s lost pet page links to Helping Lost Pets, which now operates as Pet FBI.
PawBoost
pawboost.comPosts a lost pet alert and generates a shareable flyer. The paid Boost spreads it through sponsored social media.
Also post on
Facebook: Lost and Found Pets of Toronto and your neighbourhood group
Reddit: r/toronto and r/askTO. The community responds fast to lost pet posts.
Nextdoor: Goes to verified neighbours near you. Has a “Lost & Found Pets” category.
Kijiji: Post under “Lost & Found” in Community. Also search it in case someone found your dog.
Put on it
Big photo
The word LOST in large text
Breed, colour, size
Last seen where and when
Your phone number in huge font
Never your home address.
Put them up at
Print on bright neon paper. Laminate if it might rain.
Lost dog poster generator
Create a printable poster. Pet FBI also has a free flyer creator.
Fill in the details and download a printable PDF poster.
1–2 km
Small or timid dogs
Usually stay close and hide nearby.
5–10+ km
Bigger, athletic dogs
Can cover this much ground in a day.
10pm–12am
Plus dawn and dusk
Less noise, fewer people. Dogs come out of hiding.
Bring a flashlight and strong-smelling treats. You might catch the reflection of their eyes. Rotisserie chicken works.
Check your own yard, garage, porches and sheds first. Dogs hide in familiar spots.
Leave their bed/blanket/crate outside with food and water plus an unwashed shirt for the scent.
Ask letter carriers, delivery drivers and dog walkers, and check businesses with outdoor cameras (gas stations, banks) for footage.
Call 311
Call 311 right away with the exact location and any tag information.
Don’t feed the dog
Unfamiliar or human food can do more harm than good.
Scan for a microchip
Bring them to any vet clinic to scan for a microchip (free). You can also bring them directly to a TAS shelter during business hours (call first). If the dog has a DocuPet tag, call HomeSafe at 1-855-249-1370 (24/7) with the tag number.
A microchip only works if it's registered with your current phone number. If you moved or changed numbers and didn't update the registry, the chip is useless right now. Any vet clinic or shelter can scan for a microchip for free.
Common Ontario registries
DocuPet HomeSafe: 1-855-249-1370 (24/7)
Toronto's licensing system runs through DocuPet. Every licence includes a free 24/7 lost pet recovery hotline. If someone reports your tag number, they contact you immediately.
Don’t wait
File the report and post online within the first hour. The 5-day shelter window is real.
Don’t chase a scared dog
They’ll run further. Sit down, turn sideways, avoid eye contact, toss treats. Let them come to you.
Don’t skip the shelter appointments
Book at all three TAS locations and THS. Online databases lag behind and descriptions can be off.
Don’t post your home address
Phone number and email only. Scammers target lost pet posts. It happens more than you’d think.
Don’t pay a “finder’s fee” before seeing your dog
Ask for a photo or video first. Meet in a public place. If something feels off, it probably is.
Don’t give up after a few days
Dogs have been found weeks and months later. Keep searching for at least two months.
Related: Toronto dog bylaws · 24/7 emergency vets
Onslow's shows the nearest open shelter and dials it in one tap. Free on iOS and Android.